Happy hump day, friends! How’s your week going so far? We had glorious warm weather all weekend, but now back to cold and rain… I am so ready for spring!! Fortunately, Spring Break is only a few weeks away. Unfortunately though, our kids don’t have the same week off, so it will be our first time not traveling as a foursome!
Our son is actually taking his own trip with friends #gulp, and Mr. SP and I will take Little Miss on an adventure. It will be fun, but different. Not sure how I feel about it all just yet.
But today let’s talk beauty! Beauty, hair, and wellness became popular topics here on Hi Sugarplum last year, and I’m thrilled you love chatting it up as much as me. I tend to stay extremely loyal to a product once I’ve fallen in love, but part of my job here is to find and share the latest and greatest… in both style and beauty.
Last month I shared a Sephora Haul of my favorite new (to me) product finds, and y’all loved it! (See it HERE.) So I’m back this month with more… here’s the best of my Sephora Haul lately…
Sidenote: I tried these products several times before sharing with you, so these aren’t just first impressions!
Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray
I’ve been a long-time user of the Kenra Volume Spray 25, and while I really like the strong hold for some styles, the nozzle always seems to clog, causing it to spray willy-nilly. I also like to have a lot of movement in my hair (especially now that it’s shorter), but the Kenra holds it firmly in place.
I’ve also used Aveda Air Control Hair Spray, which allows for a lot of play and movement, but doesn’t provide much staying power.
Enter Moroccan Oil Luminous Hair Spray, which is really the perfect blend of the Kenra and Aveda formulas! It provides strong hold that leaves no sticky residue or stiffness on the hair, and the flexible formula keeps hair looking natural and touchable. I love the fine mist that makes it easy to get in all the areas of my hair, and so far no clogged nozzles!
And bonus, it’s argan oil-infused, so it adds shine, while fighting frizz and humidity. I’ve been using the strong hold, but want to try the medium hold once this one runs out.
Drybar Morning After Shower Cap
If you’ve been around HSP for any time at all, then you’re well-versed in my love for this shower cap! But I actually get quite a few questions about it, so figured it was time to highlight it properly!
We all know the purpose of shower caps, but did you know not all shower caps are created equal?! First, the Drybar Morning After Shower Cap (not a fan of the name, but that’s irrelevant) is lined in terrycloth, which absorbs all the moisture and steam, keeping it off your hair! Standard shower caps just act as a sauna creating a ton of humidity under the cap, and wreaking havoc on your ‘do.
The Drybar cap is also lined in a thick cotton elastic, so it not only stays in place, but acts as another barrier to letting steam and moisture past the hairline. And lastly, the cap is a generous size, so it doesn’t squash your style.
I don’t fully submerge my head while wearing it, but the cap still gets damp, so I hang it on a hook outside the shower to fully-dry between uses. After awhile, it starts to look a little grimy around the edges from makeup and soap, so I hand wash it and air dry it inside out… good as new! I’ve been using it for well over five years, and replaced it two or three times… so it definitely gets a lot of wear.
Shave & Smooth Facial Razor
Okay, much to Mama Sugarplum’s chagrin, I ‘shaved my face on the internet.’ Or rather, I shared my at-home derma-planing technique on my Instagram Story. But let’s back up… a year ago I had a facial that included professional derma-planing… and I loved the results. My face was super smooth, and free of dead skin and peach fuzz, helping my makeup to apply seamlessly. But I also couldn’t see spending that regularly!
So after some research, I ordered these razors and tried it myself at home. And hello, I got the same exact results! Maybe even a little better because I’m what some people call ‘tedious‘, and didn’t miss a single spot! Plus, seeing all the dead skin and fuzz fall from your face is wildly satisfying. And no, the hair doesn’t grow back thicker, darker, stronger, curlier, angrier… none of it.
When I spotted this fancy razor at Sephora, I decided to give it a whirl, thinking it must be better because it’s ‘professional’ grade. But nope, I’m not a fan. The blade is too small and sits too flush with the handle, so it’s hard to get good contact with the skin. It also wasn’t as sharp as my handy-dandy Amazon razors. And if you’re already a whizz at using the Tinkle razors, and you’re ready to take your derma-planing to the next level, try these!
The Shisheido razors have a larger blade surface and are crazy sharp… so they take off even more layers of dead skin. But if you’re new to it, stick with the Tinkles.
Clinique Quickliner for Eyes
I used an Aveda eyeliner for years, and literally shed a tear when they discontinued it a few years ago. Since then, I think I’ve tried 10 or more eyeliners! And while none are as good as my beloved Aveda, this Clinique Quickliner has come the closest.
But first I should tell you what I like in an eyeliner so you know what you’re getting with this one… smooth application with no tugging, medium product placement, smudgy tip, and staying power. Basically, I wiggle it between my lashes and a little above and like a smudged, soft line. I don’t do hard lines or fancy wing tips, I just want a little definition.
And I want a soft charcoal color that stays put all day. I don’t need it super sharp because, again… smudgy. I’ve tried the regular and the intense, and like them both equally.
Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream
I’m a long-time fan of Supergoop! sunscreen… my family has been using the clean, yet effective, products for years. But full disclosure… I actually had this Daily CC Cream from a press kit I received last year, and decided to give it a whirl in Mexico last week. (I packed these for body.)
I took it as a face SPF for the beach and pool, but was blown away by the color correcting coverage! More than just a tinted moisturizer with SPF, it provides real, yet natural, coverage that balances skin tone and smooths over lines and wrinkles. It’s mineral based, yet super hydrating, so my skin wasn’t too matte or overly shiny either (like SPFs can do).
I just applied it with my fingers and blended well, and I loved the extra coverage along with the sun protection. It stayed put all day, but not really waterproof, so you’d need to layer a water-resistant sunscreen for added protection if swimming or sweating. Also, I always wear a hat at the pool and beach, but this powder is great SPF protection for your part if you prefer visors or no hat. Nothing worse than a sunburned, then peeling, scalp!! #beenthere
Anastasia Dipbrow Gel
I’ve used Anastasia Beverly Hills pencils for years to fill in sparse areas and create more definition in my brows, and when I’m between tints, to also darken the hairs. (Did you know our brows get lighter as we age, and can make you look older!?) I’m in need of a tint now, but prefer to wait until I see my brow-guru, Suzie Moldavon again, so I picked up this gel in the same ‘taupe’ shade as my pencil.
And I’m sad to say I didn’t love it! The taupe gel didn’t look like the same shade as my pencil, and the formula is thick and looked a little clumpy. Also, the brush is fairly large, so it was hard to keep the product on just my hairs and not the skin. Granted, much of this is user-error and I’m new to the brow gel game, so it likely takes time to master the application!
However, I did love how the hairs combed in to place and stayed put all day! And since I still need to use a pencil for shape, I’m going to try the clear formula to get the best of both!
Olaplex Reparative Styling Creme
Okay, I dipped my toe in the Olaplex pool in last month’s Sephora Haul, and now I’ve full-blown drunk the Olaplex koolaid!! I’m convinced this stuff is a game-changer for damaged, color-treated, tired hair! #mine (My hairdresser turned me on to it, and swears by its healing power!)
After only a month of using the Hair Perfector No. 3, my hair was noticeably stronger and dare I say it, healthier! So next I added this Reparative Styling Creme, and was smitten after just one use! It’s not only a styling product, but also a leave-in reparative creme.
I apply a small amount to damp, clean hair from the mid-shaft down, comb it through easily, then style as usual. My hair dries in less time, is incredibly smooth and shiny, and is noticeably less frizzy.
And the effects last until my next shampoo, so day 2 and 3 hair still looks fuller and shinier! Now I’m trying the shampoo and conditioner, so I’ll be sure to report back. Consider me hooked.
Okay, that’s it for this month’s Sephora Haul! Are any of these products already on your must-have list? What do you love that I should try next? And if you’re a beauty junkie like me, make sure you’re a Sephora Beauty Insider (sign-up is free HERE!)… they offer exclusive deals and sales, along with bonus samples and rewards!
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